Motorized brewing unit

A method for preparing a beverage from a powdered product containing at least one ingredient, with a motorized brewing unit comprising

• a dispensing assembly that includes
• a first assembly part comprising a receptacle adapted to receive said powdered product, and
• a second assembly part, relative to which the first assembly part is movable between an open position in which the first assembly part and the second assembly part are spaced apart from each other to allow said powdered product to be inserted into the receptacle, and a closed position in which the first assembly part and the second assembly part are coupled to each other to define a brewing chamber therebetween,
• an electric motor adapted to control movement of the first assembly part relative to the second assembly part between the open position and the closed position,
• the motorized brewing unit further comprising a readout device adapted to provide a digital image of said powdered product, said readout device comprising an optical sensor, the receptacle facing the optical sensor when the first assembly part is in a detection position, intermediate between the open position and the closed position,
• wherein the first assembly part further comprises a plunger hydraulically operated and slidable within the receptacle, said plunger carrying a brewing head adapted to inject water into the brewing chamber, and wherein a gasket sealingly slidable on a radially inner surface of the receptacle is arranged on the brewing head,
• said method comprising the following steps:
• a) with the first assembly part in the closed position, supplying cold water to a hydraulic cylinder to move the plunger forward and carry said powdered product against the second assembly part,
• b1) through the plunger and the brewing head, supplying optionally a first quantity of heated water into the brewing chamber to wet the powdered product,
• b2) waiting optionally a predetermined time interval,
• c) through the plunger and the brewing head, supplying a second quantity of heated water, greater than said first quantity, into the brewing chamber to prepare the beverage, and
• d) supplying optionally further cold water to the hydraulic cylinder to move the plunger further forward and compact a used powdered product against the second assembly part.

A method for preparing a beverage from a powdered product containing at least one ingredient, with a motorized brewing unit comprising:

• a dispensing assembly that includes:
• a first assembly part comprising a receptacle adapted to receive said powdered product, and
• a second assembly part, relative to which the first assembly part is movable between an open position in which the first assembly part and the second assembly part are spaced apart from each other to allow said powdered product to be inserted into the receptacle, and a closed position in which the first assembly part and the second assembly part are coupled to each other to define a brewing chamber therebetween;
• an electric motor adapted to control movement of the first assembly part relative to the second assembly part between the open position and the closed position;
• and
• a readout device adapted to provide a digital image of said powdered product, said readout device comprising an optical sensor, the receptacle facing the optical sensor when the first assembly part is in a detection position, intermediate between the open position and the closed position,
• wherein the first assembly part further comprises a plunger hydraulically operated and slidable within the receptacle, said plunger carrying a brewing head adapted to inject water into the brewing chamber, and wherein a gasket sealingly slidable on a radially inner surface of the receptacle is arranged on the brewing head,
• said method comprising the following steps:
• through the plunger and the brewing head, supplying a quantity of heated water into the brewing chamber to prepare the beverage in an infusion step, wherein the brewing head exerts a pressure on the powdered product inserted in the receptacle throughout the brewing step.